Core Courses for the BS Degree in Agribusiness

AGSC 202 Introduction to Land and Water Resources 3.0; 3 cr.

Develop an understanding of current issues in land and water resources, including: soil and water conservation and management; land classification and reclamation; soils and environmental quality; sustainable agro-ecosystems.

AGSC 203 Crop Production and Protection 3.0; 3 cr.

The course provides an overview of the technologies used in the production of crops. The student will acquire a knowledge and understanding of current crop production systems, the end market requirements for products as well as the quality standards of these products. Students will also learn current techniques in crop protection and yield management.

AGSC 204 3.0; 3cr. 

This course is an indtroduction to chemistry and biology designed for first year agribusiness students. It aims to familiarize students with the basic concepts and theoretical principles of modern chemistry and biology. Students will gain an appreciation of the of the importance that biology and chemistry play in our natural lives.

AGSC 210 Marketing in Agribusiness 3.0; 3 cr.

An overview of marketing activities in Agro-food industries, including marketing inputs in strategic planning, global marketing, marketing research, analysis of buyer behaviour, market segmentation and positioning, and development of the marketing mix elements. Prerequisite: Junior status standing.

AGSC 211 Introduction to Agricultural Issues and Policies 3.0; 3 cr.

Survey of global food and agricultural issues. Covers: role of agriculture in economic development; trade in food and agricultural products; global food production, consumption and marketing patterns; economics of technical change and food assistance; agriculture and the environment.

AGSC 212 Micoreconomic Theory of Food and Farming 3.0; 3 cr.

The course introduces economic principles, which are then used to explain the production of goods and services, household behavior, economic equilibrium and the welfare consequences of alternative exchange mechanisms. Special applications will be given to decision-making and the allocation of resources for the agricultural firm, and consumer behavior and demand for agricultural and food products.

AGSC 213 Legal Aspects of Agribusiness 3 cr.

The main objective of the course is to help Agribusiness students understand the Lebanese and American legal aspects of common agricultural business activities, as well as the formation and function of Agri-commercial companies and related ethical principles. Prerequisite: Junior status standing.

AGSC 229 Entrepreneurship in Agriculture 3.0; 3 cr.

Integration of production, marketing, accounting, finance, agricultural policy, human behavior, and business environment concepts in management of agricultural businesses using the compilation by students of agribusiness plans. Prerequisite: Junior status standing.

AGSC 236 New Trends in Agricultural and Food Systems 3.0; 3 cr.

Current trends in agricultural trade; developments in private sector markets and in public policy; the concerns related to the effects of agricultural trade on the environment, food security, and regional development. The course will also address the issue of the challenges to food exporters from developing countries posed by the need to comply with ever-stricter standards. The course will also cover the global market structures of the agricultural products most relevant to the Mediterranean countries and the experience and present thinking about the pros and cons of the spread of genetically modified products, designation of origins and other food labeling mechanisms. Prerequisite: Senior status in Agribusiness.

AGSC 239 Agribusiness Communication Skills Workshop 0 cr.

A ten-hour workshop designed to introduce students to the various communication skills needed in a typical work environment. Mastering these skills plays a profound role in shaping and advancing professional careers in all types of industries and work scopes. The workshop introduces specific guidelines for the effective use of a variety of communication skills in the workplace in an interactive manner, simulating the work environment.

AGSC 240 Career Planning Workshop for Agribusiness 0 cr.

A ten-hour workshop designed to build awareness of changing career patterns and major personal and professional influences that impact future careers. Issues such as preparation for joining the labor market, basic career guidance, understanding career stages, and practicing self-assessment are emphasized. Prerequisite: Junior status standing.

AGSC 248 Operation Management for Agribusiness 3 cr.

This course covers the essentials of supply chain management and quantitative techniques needed for the planning and implementation of agribusiness operations. This course includes optimization of production and cost minimization. Prerequisite: Senior status standing.

AGSC 253 Harvest and Post-harvest Issues and Strategies 3.0; 3 cr.

Discusses: the structure of the agricultural harvesting and marketing system with emphasis on factors determining farm level prices; emphasizes how markets coordinate consumer desires and producer costs through marketing channels; impact of market structure, grades, information, product form, and advertising on farm prices; International trade impact on producers, consumers, agribusiness, and government. Prerequisites: AGSC 202, AGSC 203 and AGSC 212.

AGSC 255 Field Study of the Rural Agro-economy 3.0; 3 cr.

Tours of agribusiness enterprises and rural farms in Lebanon are organized with the intent to observe the management and marketing practices used in successful operations of different agribusiness structures. Students will also learn how the agriculture value chain is structured within the rural economy. Prerequisites: AGSC 202 and AGSC 203.

AGSC 256 Summer Internship 1 cr.

AGSC 292 Agribusiness Final Year Project 5.0; 5 cr.

Milestone course for students in Agribusiness. Application of concepts, tools, and principles including management, finance, marketing, economic theory, and quantitative methods to applied agricultural decisions on selected agricultural and agribusiness projects that enhance team-building as well as written, and oral communication skills. Prerequisite: Senior status standing.

Core Courses for the BS Degree in Agriculture

AGSC 201 Orientation to Agriculture and Food Systems 2.0; 2 cr.

A survey of the natural resource potentialities with emphasis on the principal input requirements for agricultural development; and the current trends in modernization of agricultural production with emphasis on the difficulties this process faces.

AGSC 212 Micoreconomic Theory of Food and Farming 3.0; 3 cr.

The course introduces economic principles, which are then used to explain the production of goods and services, household behavior, economic equilibrium and the welfare consequences of alternative exchange mechanisms. Special applications will be given to decision-making and the allocation of resources for the agricultural firm, and consumer behavior and demand for agricultural and food products

AGSC 215 Introduction to Soils 2.3; 3 cr.

Origin, properties, classification, and management of soil with emphasis on soil behavior in relation to irrigated agriculture, ecology, and the environment. Prerequisite: CHEM 200 or CHEM 202 or equivalent. 

AGSC 220 Principles of Plant Physiology 2.3; 3 cr.

An introduction to environmental and physiological factors affecting crop growth and development. Prerequisite: BIOL 200.

AGSC 221 Principles of Entomology 2.3; 3 cr.

Insect morphology, anatomy, classification, and biology in relation to pest control in agroecosystems. Prerequisite: BIOL 200.

AGSC 222 Farm Practices 0.6; 1 cr.

Practical experience in operational activities and management decisions essential in modern agriculture. Prerequisites: AGSC III standing and eligibility for enrollment in the regular program at AREC.

AGSC 223 Agricultural Project 0.6; 2 cr.

Directed study with field and laboratory work. Prerequisites: AGSC III standing and eligibility for enrollment in the regular program at AREC.

AGSC 224 General Horticulture 2.3; 3 cr.

Principles and practices in the production of fruits, ornamentals, and vegetables.

AGSC 225 Rural Social Systems in Agricultural and Rural Development 3.0; 3 cr.

An examination of institutional and sociological problems of rural areas; influence of rural institutions on rural development.

AGSC 226 Farm Power and Machinery 2.3; 3 cr.

Internal combustion engines, power trains, drawbar performance, stability, and safe operation of tractors; functional requirements, principles of operation, performance evaluation, and selection of farm machinery.

AGSC 227 Surveying and Irrigation Principles 0.3; 1 cr.

Topographic surveying, irrigation methods evaluation, soil physical properties, soil water, and water flow measurement.

AGSC 228 Irrigation Principles 2.3; 3 cr.

Surveying, land preparation, water measurement, conveyance and application, pumping, drainage and soil-water relationships; introduction to farm irrigation methods.

AGSC 231 Principles of Agronomy 2.3; 3 cr.

Principles and cultural practices in the production of field crops.

AGSC 232 Principles of Plant Pathology 2.3; 3 cr.

Fundamentals and practical aspects of plant diseases, their causes, and control.

AGSC 235 Agricultural Extension in Development 2.0; 2 cr.

A comparative study of developmental philosophy, objectives, and adaptation to developing countries; principles and methods of extension and adult teaching. Prerequisite: AGSC 225.

AGSC 241 Farm Management 3.0; 3 cr.

A course that focuses on the application of modern principles and techniques of management to the farm sector. Prerequisite: AGSC 212 or ECON 203.

AGSC 265 Soil Fertility 2.3; 3 cr.

Behavior of native and applied fertilizer elements in soils in relation to crop production, soil fertility evaluation, fertilizer manufacture, fertilizer application in irrigation systems, and economics of fertilizer use. Prerequisite: AGSC 215.

AGSC 284 Fundamentals of Weed Science 2.3; 3 cr.

Fundamentals of weed biology and weed management practices with emphasis on chemical weed control.

AGSC 290 Project Planning and Appraisal 3.0; 3 cr.

Introduces different techniques commonly used in project planning and appraisal.

AGSC 296 Agriculture Project Presentation 1 cr.

Elective Courses for the BS Degree in Agriculture

AGSC 230 Natural Management of Garden Pests 3.0; 3 cr.

This course introduces students to living organisms regarded as pests and to methods that help in management of these pests. The emphasis is on concepts and techniques that can be applied in harmony with the health of humans, domestic animals, and the general environment. This environmentally oriented course shows how to prevent, manage, and combat pests in the garden. Free elective.

AGSC 233 Vegetable Production 2.3; 3 cr.

The principles and techniques of vegetable crop production, including nutrition, culture, and harvest of crops in organic and conventional production systems. Prerequisite: AGSC 224 or consent of instructor.

AGSC 243 Marketing and Food Products 3.0; 3 cr.

A course that examines in detail the marketing of agricultural and food products, using case studies.

AGSC 250 Organic Farming 1.2; 3 cr.

 Advances in organic farming and growing systems with emphasis on farm planning, certification, marketing, information, and organic farming practices.

AGSC 261 Hydraulics 3.0; 3 cr.

Principles of mass and energy conservation, pipe flow, canal flow, measurement of fluid flow, and application of hydraulic principles to irrigation system design.

 AGSC 262 Irrigation Methods 3.0; 3 cr.

 Hydraulics of surface irrigation systems; design of border, furrow, and controlled flooding irrigation; hydraulics of sprinkler and drip irrigation systems; methods of evaluation of each system.

 AGSC 263 Pesticide Application Technology 2.3; 3 cr.

 Basics of sprayers, principles of operation of field and orchard sprayers, performance parameters and evaluation, drop size technology, spray transport and dispersal, drift and deposition measurement, pesticide reduction drift control, and safety in handling and storage.

 AGSC 270 Computer Applications in Agriculture 1.3; 2 cr.

 An overview of computer hardware and software; applying basic programming language and other packages to problem solving in agriculture.

 AGSC 271 Environment Control in Agriculture 3.0; 3 cr.

 Materials and design characteristics of farm structures; basics of heat and mass transfer; design of environment control systems for animals, plants, and storage of agricultural materials and products.

 AGSC 273 Plant-Soil-Water Relationships 3.0; 3 cr.

 Physical relationships of soil moisture and plant growth, soil physical properties, determination of crop water use and irrigation requirement, and irrigation scheduling. Prerequisite: AGSC 228 or consent of instructor.

 AGSC 277 Basic Hydrology 3.0; 3 cr.

 Applied methods in hydrologic analysis and design; hydrologic cycle components including precipitation, infiltration, ground water, and surface runoff; basic considerations of reservoir flow routing and management.

 AGSC 287 Crop Production in Dry Regions 3.0; 3 cr.

 A detailed account of crop production in dry regions: physical characteristics, widely grown crops, and suitable cultural practices.

 AGSC 288 The Art of Honey Making 2.3; 3 cr.

The art and science of keeping honeybee colonies. Covers the processes of caring for bee colonies through utilizing available resources around the social honeybee colony, and wild and cultivated plants in the use of food, to glean as many potential products and services from the colony as possible. Free elective.

 AGSC 291 Introduction to Beekeeping 2.3; 3 cr.

Different aspects of culturing the honeybee starting with the behavioral patterns of bee colonies and ending with bee management considerations.

AGSC 293 Integrated Plant Health Management for Economic Crops 3.0; 3 cr.

Basic concepts of the integrated approach to the proper management of plant diseases and insect pests of economic crops including components of plant health management (PHM) programs, and the feasibility and economics of various management strategies; specific PHM cases on major crops are discussed. Prerequisites: AGSC 221 and AGSC 232.

AGSC 294 Applied Plant Protection 2.3; 3 cr.

Observation and study of insect pests and plant diseases on field and greenhouse crops, with emphasis on recognition, evaluation, and control. Prerequisites: AGSC 221, AGSC 232 or equivalent.

AGSC 295 Pesticides 3.0; 3 cr.

A survey of the commonly used insecticides, fungicides, rodenticides, and related materials as to their chemistry, mode of action, and relation of structure to activity, toxicity, metabolism, and hazards to the environment.

AGSC 299 Special Topics in Agricultural Science 2 cr.

Directed study. Tutorial. Prerequisites: fourth year standing and consent of instructor.